Some of the controlling things people do actually stem from a desire to be helpful. Unfortunately, in reality, such well-intended actions don’t always end up being helpful. Ann Smith, author of "Overcoming Perfectionism" and contributor to Psychology Today, suggests that you start a new policy. Sit down and honestly evaluate your helping. If an action is effectively causing positive change, keep going. If not, stop doing it. This could be difficult, especially since you are sincerely trying to do something good for someone else, but be honest with yourself and try to view your helping from the other person’s perspective.

To break the habit of being controlling, you’ll need to get out of your comfort zone and practice giving up control, says Terri Trespicio, founder of meQuilibrium, the first online stress management program. And don’t worry: Terri has some suggestions for how you can do this in a fun way, so it’s not so scary. She recommends trying a new activity, taking a walk without a specific destination in mind, or, if you’re single, going out on a blind date. The only rules? Have fun, and don’t judge yourself.

Frequently, the need to control things comes from an internal anxiety, says Ann Smith. She advises turning your attention to managing your anxiety, rather than everything and everyone around you. Learn everything you can about anxiety and dealing with anxious feelings. The next time you feel the impulse to control something, pause and try using one of the tools you’ve learned before you act on that feeling of fear. Try to do this each time you start feeling anxious and want to control the world around you. With practice, it will get easier.

You need to learn to trust both yourself and other people. Remind yourself that other people want to be around you because they love and care about you, and that nobody expects you to take care of everything or is constantly and silently criticizing you. It’s also important that you recognize that other people are trustworthy and capable, and that things won’t fall apart if you don’t do everything. Cheryl Cran, leadership consultant and author of "The Control Freak Revolution," recommends starting small. Hire an assistant to answer your phone at work, or delegate a task you usually do at home to your spouse instead.